Cricket

NEW DELHI: What was meant to be a historic celebration turned into a heartbreaking tragedy as a stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday claimed 11 lives and left 33 others injured. The incident occurred just hours after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title, prompting a massive turnout of fans near the stadium.RCB and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) issued a joint statement on Wednesday night, expressing “deep concern and heartfelt condolences” over the incident. “RCB-KSCA expresses deep concern and heartfelt condolences regarding the unfortunate incident that occurred during the celebration organised by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium earlier today,” the statement read.“We are profoundly saddened by the tragic loss of life and the injuries sustained by individuals during this event. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this incident. We sincerely regret this tragedy and stand in solidarity with the bereaved families during this extremely difficult time,” it added.RCB also issued an official statement expressing grief over the tragic incident.“We are deeply anguished by the unfortunate incidents that have come to light through media reports regarding public gatherings all over Bengaluru in anticipation of the team’s arrival this afternoon. The safety and well-being of everyone is of utmost importance to us.RCB mourns the tragic loss of lives and extend our heartfelt condolences to the affected families.Immediately upon being made aware of the situation, we promptly amended our program, and followed, the guidance and advice of the local administration.We urge all our supporters to please stay safe.”The stampede was reported near Gate 2 of the stadium shortly after RCB players had visited the Vidhana Soudha to meet Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.Throughout the day, there was confusion regarding the parade plans, with Bengaluru traffic police initially denying permission due to safety concerns. However, thousands of RCB fans had already gathered near the stadium to welcome their team, resulting in an uncontrollable crowd surge. The lack of effective crowd management turned fatal as barriers were breached and panic ensued. Police forces were overwhelmed, and emergency services struggled to respond to the chaos. The injured were taken to Bowring and Vydehi Hospitals. Eyewitnesses recalled scenes of desperation, with people being trampled and many unconscious by the time help arrived.To offer some support to the grieving families, RCB and KSCA announced financial assistance of ?5 lakh for each family that lost a loved one in the tragedy.The state government also announced a compensation of ?10 lakh for the families of those who died in the stampede.“RCB-KSCA announces 5 lakh each to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. We hope this gesture can offer some support and solace in their time of grief,” the joint statement said. ‘A particularly special feeling’: Andy Flower hails Virat Kohli, RCB after historic title win “We want to emphasise that this compensation is not intended to determine or replace the value of human life, but rather to serve as a gesture of support and solidarity during such challenging times. Thank you for your understanding and support,” it added.Despite the sombre turn of events, a short victory ceremony was held inside the stadium, lasting about half an hour. Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli addressed the crowd briefly, thanking fans for their unwavering support over the years.The team then took a lap of honour around the ground, celebrating a title 17 seasons in the making. RCB defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in a thrilling IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.However, the night that was meant to unify a city in celebration will now be remembered for grave mismanagement that cost several lives. Questions are already being raised about the preparedness of local authorities, and an investigation has been ordered to identify the lapses that led to the horrific stampede.For now, the cricketing community and RCB fans around the world are left mourning a bittersweet moment where triumph and tragedy collided.